BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2008)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: RONALD K. NEVIN, #3463
CONTACT: KRISANN HODGES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
October 28, 2008
NASHVILLE LAWYER SUSPENDED
On October 27, 2008, Ronald K. Nevin, of Nashville, Tennessee, was suspended for six (6) months by
Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline against Ronald K. Nevin
pursuant to Rule 9 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Tennessee relating to three complaints. Mr. Nevin
served as the public guardian in Davidson County. As public guardian, he managed the financial and personal
affairs of people under conservatorships or guardianships. Mr. Nevin improperly transferred money from his
trust account to a conservatorship account, failed to preserve the identity of the wardâs money, improperly
retained interest owed to the wardâs account, and commingled trust fund accounts. Further, in a second matter,
he failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness by failing to file an accurate inventory of the wardâs
assets and by misrepresenting the value of the clientâs estate to the probate court. In the third matter, Mr. Nevin
failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness by failing to safeguard a minorâs assets resulting in a tax
sale of the minorâs property.
A Hearing Panel recommended that Mr. Nevin be suspended for six (6) months. Mr. Nevin appealed the
Hearing Panelâs recommendation by filing a Writ of Certiorari to the Chancery Court of Davidson County. The
Chancery Court affirmed the Hearing Panelâs decision. Mr. Nevin appealed to the Supreme Court. The
Supreme Court affirmed the Chancery Courtâs judgment.
Mr. Nevinâs actions violate the following Disciplinary Rules: 1-102(A)(1) - Misconduct; 6-101(A)(3) –
Failing to Act Competently; 7-101(A)(1) – Representing a Client Zealously; and 9-102(A)(B)(3) – Preserving
Identity and Funds of a Client.
Mr. Nevin must comply with Section 18 of Rule 9, Rules of the Supreme Court, regarding the
obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys.
Nevin 1147-5 rel.doc
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